QRP Operations (updates beyond initial date entered)

From N2UGB

5/3/2008 3:37:59 PM (0 comments) Add Comment

For the past several days or so I have experienced much improved results on 20 and 30meters. Not DX by any means but my four watts QRP cw from central New York State has gotten me acceptable reports from as far west as Iowa and into the southern states.



And, the propagation was not ideal.



Maybe the decision to keep the Buddistick a 20 and 30 meter antenna helped. Had been using it for 10 through 40 meters with counterpoises all over the place. It is not ground mounted. Eliminated the rats-nest of wires that were suely reacting with one another.



Sure hope conditions improve on a daily basis.



73 and good luck to the QRP players



-------------Sunday, May 4, 2008--------------



Added OK City, OK to my QRP list. Sort of a three-way as an unidentified op added his dit-dit when we signed with each other.



Working my QRP way west like the early gold miners of '49. Hope to reach the Pacific Coast some day.



Put the old Vibrokeyer to the OHR 400 which has the elctronic keyer installed. Getting a bit of straight key glass-arm after extended manual keying. Can't slow down the bug to what I consider practical QRP sending speed.



73 and good luck to the QRP players





------------Friday, May 9, 2008--------------



Didn't get much air time today but did get on 20M early in the morning. Worked a chap in Austin, Texas. He gave me an RST report of 559 from my OHR 500 at 4 watts output, so not complaining.



The reports, from many quarters, of a non-sunspot cycle are not encouraging.



Feel like praying for sunspots the way mid-western farmers prayed for rain.



73 and good luck to the QRP players.





------------Thursday, May 15, 2008------------





The OHRs need some serious alignment. Going to send them to Marshall at OHR (Morse X). As they were purchased third-hand, rather let the pros look at them.



Bit of QRP doldrums, essentially my inactivity. Did work a fella in central Florida couple days ago. Had an RST 579 on 20M from my 4 watts and Buddistick, so not complaining.



Pray for sunspots.



73 and good luck to the QRP players.





-----------Sunday, May 18, 2008-------------



Packaged up one of my old OHR QRP rigs. Some serious issues require Marshall of OHR (Morse X) attention. After all, it is quite a few years old. Now to get them off.



Put the new FT-817 on line. Learning the menu system requires going back-and-forth to the manual. Amazing what can be forgotten with these menu-based rigs.



Worked a few state-side operators since then. The day I was setting the 817 up and reading the manual, 30 meters was hot with DX. I didn't have the time to work any ... even try.



Was a good sign, anyway.



73 and good luck to the QRP players.





-------------Tuesday, May 20, 2008---------------



Nothing much beyond the usual. Worked a few other QRP stations which is always great when it ends up a QRP to QRP contact.



Exceptional contact with N0TU...Steve, the Goat Man, out in CO. big sky country last Sunday morning. He wasn't portable tramping around with his goat buddies but on the air from home with an IC-703.



Suggest going to U-tube and viewing some of his great videos. They are some of the best amateur radio films found on U-tube.



73 and good luck to the QRP players.





---------------Wednesday, May 28---------------



Been busy with some family obligations, so radio activity has been minimal...or less. Did work a few stations with disappointing reports but 20 and 30 meters, for me, have been poor lately. A better antenna would have helped, no doubt.



Had to send the new 817ND back to Yaesu. Output power decaying, after a few minutes, from 5 to 3 watts maximum. This is using a good P.S. and into a dummy load with output read on a QRP meter. Happened once before to another 817ND rig which Yeasu fixed.



Makes a case for having a back-up rig on the desk, no matter how old technology it may be. Don't think of tossing that HW-8!



Thus my OHRs. Tried and true over the years, though one of them is now on Marshall's bench, hi.



73 and good luck to the QRP players.







--------------Monday, June 9, 2008--------------



Well, my OHR 500 is back from Marshall Emm, nicely re-aligned. It was a third-hand, at least, purchase and needed some professional TLC. The drift problem seems resolved as well as final transistor oscillation as the TX approached full output.



The OHR 400 is now packed and ready for shipping to Marshall and more of his TLC. This rig is probably forth-hand!



The Yaesu 817 is now in their California service center to resolve the power decay characteristic.



When it's repaired, I will have to go through the ritual of re-learning the menu functions.



I appreciate the simplicity of the OHR rigs more and more.



I hope to find the time, today, to put the recently returned OHR 500 to a serious workout.



73 and good luck to the QRP players.





------------Wednesday, June 11, 2008-------------



The recently aligned OHR 500 continues to perform well. Had several QSOs with the usual 559 reports. No great distances. But, did work an HK in Bogata, Colombia recently which was nice.



I am finding that the Buddistick and OHR 500 like 30 meters best and that is where I have been QRV lately. Usually around 10.106 +/-.



Received an e-mail from Marshall Emm of OHR, (Morse X), thanking me for my positive report of his equipment and service. He should have my OHR 400 by Friday for a re-alignment. What a fine guy and a great company for the CW operator.



Yaesu still has my 817 but I should be getting delivery next week.



Finally cooled off after four days of 90 degree plus temperatures. Unbearable so soon in the season.



Radio propagation continues to be dreary and, frankly, I see no improvement in the near...or far, future.



73 and good luck to the QRP players.







-------------Saturday, July 5, 2008-------------



Haven't been very active...again. No DX since the HK op who, incidentally, sent me a very nice QSL card direct.



Yaesu returned my under-warranty 817ND and it now delivers the full 5 watt output per specs. Job done cleanly and in a timely fashion. Courteous phone conversations and follow-ups. I am favorably impressed with Yaesu service.



Joined the Flying Pigs. Seems like a nice organization. No axes to grind and no chat line to raise blood pressures. Nice coffee cup available (see my new station photo).



The MFJ 904H tuner crapped out. Put the 971 back in line. And, as it has a fairly accurate QRP meter, I took the OHR meter off line. One less coax connection always nice at QRP levels. Only wish the 971 had a bypass switch. A serious deficiency in any tuner.



While not very active, I have managed to QSO the usual suspects on 20 and 30 meters. The midwest is a good bet from this QTH. Good operators.



73 and good luck to the QRP players.







----------------July 16, 2008-------------------



Been sort of quiet operating-wise.



Recently purchased the least expensive LTA straight key from MorseX. Wanted something small for portable-transport use. The LTA is the right size. Requires precise adjustments, but once accomplished, isn't the worst key in the world.



I threw the short end-fed zepp out the window again today. Worked a guy in Fort Wayne on 40M cw almost immediately with a 569 report so not kicking.



I think I will try to get a bit more active again. Too hot to be outdoors all the day long.



73 and good luck to the QRP players.